Changes were made in the 1953 Tour. Only one time trial was used, instead of two the previous year, time bonus for the first cyclist to cross a mountain top was removed, there were fewer mountain stages and the number of cyclists per team was increased from 8 to 10. All these changes were bad for 1952's winner Fausto Coppi, who had gained significant time in 1952 in the time trials and mountain stages. The Tour operators were accused of favoring French riders